How Gen Z and Millennials Are Totally Different

The oldest Gen Zers are now entering the workforce, and employers are expecting some changes to go down... but what is it that makes this generation so different from millennials? What are the habits and traits that make Gen Z uniquely them?

According to Pew Research Center, anyone born in 1997 and after is a part of this new and emerging generation, aka Gen Z, while anyone born between 1981 and 1996 is considered a millennial. So besides age, what makes these two generations totally different?Here are some of the defining characteristics that are said to belong to Gen Z...

They don't know a world without the Internet

While millennials spent their childhoods with little to no tech, Gen Zers grew up with their smartphones. The National Retail Federation and IBM’s Institute for Business Value surveyed over 15,000 people ages 13 to 21 for their "Uniquely Generation Z" report, and found that Gen Zers spend over 70 percent of their time online.

They're entrepreneurial AF

It helps to be super tech-savvy. Whether it's making monetized YouTube videos or selling their own products, it seems like Gen Zers have found innovative ways to make money online, instead of the more ~traditional~ teen jobs millennials were drawn to. According to "Uniquely Generation Z," 22 percent of Gen Zers make $$$ online.

But they're also more practical with their money

Despite having more spending power than millennials, Gen Zers are actually much more frugal. They're always searching for the best deals, considering the quality of products, and weighing multiple options before they make a decision. Plus, they're starting to save a lot earlier than older generations. This pragmatic attitude might be rooted in the fact that their childhoods were shaped by the Great Recession — they watched their parents struggle financially and deal with unemployment, and they want to avoid that.

They're socially conscious

Global measurement and data analytics company Nielsen refers to them as the "Green Generation." According to an online study by Nielsen, Gen Zers are more inclined to support companies dedicated to sustainability. While millennials might have searched for the newest Hollister tee (the bigger the logo, the better), Gen Z is less brand-conscious and would prefer something more unique. Over 70 percent of consumers ages 15 to 20 are willing to pay more for products and services that come from companies committed to positive social and environmental impact.

They're more stressed out

According to the American Psychological Association's 2018 Stress in America report, over 90 percent of Gen Z said that in the past month, they've experienced at least one physical or emotional symptom due to stress. And as a result, they've also reported poor mental health. The study also shows that some of Gen Z's biggest sources of stress are the possibility of mass shootings, state of the political climate, and separation of immigrant and migrant families.

They see through the B.S.

While millennials also value transparency, Gen Z takes it a step further. They see through those #sponsored posts and traditional advertisements. According to a study by Girl Up, Gen Zers really value authenticity. "They have access to all of this information online," said Anna Blue, co-director of Girl Up. "Even starting from a young age, they know how to process and decipher brands. Authenticity for them is a really big deal."

They're the most diverse and accepting generation yet

A recent Pew Research Center report showed that nearly half of post-millennials (aka Gen Z) are racial or ethnic minorities, compared to a 39 percent of minorities among millennials in 2002. Gen Z is not only the most ethnically and racially diverse generation to date, but also way more open-minded when it comes to gender and sexuality. According to research by the Innovative Group and JWT Intelligence, 38 percent of Gen Z respondents "strongly agreed" that gender doesn't define someone as much it used to.

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